Saturday, March 16, 2013

Women: Get in touch with your inner tycoon NOW!

Still in Dubai mode, as you can see! That's Anandita enjoying her camel ride ( I don't have the stomach for it).

Penguin's Spring Fever in Delhi started off on a high note with Mahesh Bhatt in conversation with me. It was warm , lively and wonderful. I was deeply touched that Mahesh took the time to fly into Delhi, do this for me, and fly out. That's what makes Mahesh, Mahesh...

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This appeared in Mumbai Mirror today.....

Women : Get
in touch with your inner tycoon!

I am a fairly recent FB convert, so forgive
me if I sound confused. For the longest time my FB account was handled by my publishers who wisely believed
it was a great marketing tool. I had no idea what went on in that space, but
when total strangers began accosting me to say cheerfully “We are your FB
friends,” I became somewhat alarmed. And decided to log in to find out who
these ‘friends’ were. It was a deeply embarrassing , almost scary experience. I
checked with my children who bluntly told me to stay off FB (“It’s not meant for your age group,”). They
were right. And also a little wrong. Women across the world NEED their FB fix.
More than half the one billion users of FB happen to be chicks. Now, I am one
of them. It has become my best stress buster. And I do get a vicarious kick out
of following the lives of people I
barely know through their manic updates. Having tasted blood, I decided to open
my own, personally driven FB account. I was such a novice at it and so very
clumsy, I had to finally seek help from my youngest (and kindest) child. I am
still pretty hopeless, but I am having so much fun! Today, I’d call myself a marginal FB player. I am hooked. But not a hard core
addict. I actually brush my teeth before logging on. All these thoughts were
running through my head as I read the TIME cover story, teasingly titled “ Don’t hate her because she’s successful,”
on Sheryl Sandberg, the uber smart COO of FB. Sandberg’s got a book out (“Lean
In”) through which Sandberg is trying to ‘reboot’ feminism. After reading the
lengthy profile filled with clever quotes, I started to feel a little sorry for
the 43- year -old woman who took FB public and has recently cashed out about
$90 million worth of shares (she is still hanging on to 18 million shares). Interestingly,
the most revelatory chapter of her book
claims : amongst the most important career choices a woman makes is whom to
marry! It is significant that the man, Dave Goldberg, Sandberg herself picked. is described as ‘genial and laid
back’. She claims he manages their money, since she has no interest in it.He
claims they share kiddie duties 50-50. Fair exchange !

Gloria Steinem has extended public support
to Sandberg’s take on 21st century leadership roles for women. Other
feminists are less ecstatic. Sandberg insists “We hold ourselves back in ways, both big and
small,”. Sandberg’s boldly printed motto – RUTHLESSLY PRIORITISE – says it all
about her working style.She talks about the invisible barriers in women’s minds
that stop them from aiming high.This mother of two says she is aware that
success and popularity don’t go together ( “Female accomplishments come at a
cost).” Her thesis is alienating women across the board, especially because it
underlines a common fear - Sandberg suggests women don’t aspire to senior
positions and spend far too much time on housework and child care duties.
Critics point out she’s a fine one for saying this, considering how wealthy she
is and how much house help she employs ( she refuses to talk about it).According
to the article, Sandberg works very hard, but hardly parties, unless it is to
network. Is most of this sounding familiar? So, what is the core message
Sandberg is sending out to career women? Frankly, I am stumped. Feminists of the
old school believe she is exhorting women to be more like men if they want to
succeed. Is she, really? Sandberg ( who sits two desks away from CEO Mark
Zuckerberg) is in a great place right now. As the COO and only woman on the
board of the company, she has her targets in place. Zuckerberg calls her “unique”
for having both, an extremely high I.Q. and E.Q. Sandberg has been officially
dubbed ‘Confidence Woman.” But guess what, even she wonders why women such as
herself don’t generate too many ‘likes’ on FB. I’m not surprised. Are you?

As for me, I am searching for my inner
tycoon. And thinking of becoming a BFF of
every single person I meet on FB! Taking a cue from Sandberg, I shall be
tracking those ‘Likes’ closely henceforth! So, hit that key, guys!

7 comments:

Ms De,You keep hankering on and on about women, how is it then that you are proud of the filthy country you live in? India.Weren't you the I e who launched that book...India shining @60 or something of the' like?

Yesterday a Swiss lady was gang raped by 8 men in the state if Madhya Pradesh. Her husband was beaten alongside. This is international news everywhere...U.K, Canada, Australia et all. People are disgusted..read the comments. Many say this is an uncivilized land which deserves to be ruled. I agree..."I say let the British come and rule again, perhaps then this slave race(which you are a part of) might learn.

My Caucasian friend wanted to visit India, she even booked her tickets. I showed her this article and told her not to bother. Perhaps I saved my country some blushes but I counldnt care less, it is she I worry more for(I like her).

Do you have an answer or am I the only Indian who feels nauseous about this? Look at the article on the dailymail...the poor woman is mummified from head to toe as she gives her statement to the police. I shudder and I cry.

Soon I will get a Canadian citizenship and I will try my best to forget my past(as it is I never call myself an indian, pass off as a Mexican or Spanish).

Ms De, do something. If you have the inclination then write back to me. My email is rishi851@yahoo.com

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